Ranchi: Pratul Shahdev, the state spokesperson for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Jharkhand, has lambasted the state government for what he alleges is an ongoing saga of corruption. Shahdev highlighted recent incidents where substantial amounts of cash were unearthed in various locations.
Shahdev revealed that just days ago, authorities discovered a staggering Rs 300 crore in cash at the premises of an individual. Additionally, he pointed out that over Rs 10 crore was seized from the residence of Pankaj Mishra, who is believed to have close ties with a Congress Member of Parliament (MP).
In a more recent development, it has come to light that an amount exceeding Rs 35 crore was found at the residence of a government secretary’s servant, who is linked to Minister Alamgir Alam. Shahdev urged for immediate action against Alam, advocating for his prompt detention and rigorous interrogation.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has also made a significant recovery, seizing about Rs 35 crore in cash from the hideout of Sanjeev Lal, assistant to the Officer on Special Duty (OSD) of a Jharkhand government minister and Congress legislature party leader, Alamgir Alam.
Sanjeev Lal, an officer of the Jharkhand Administrative Service, served as the OSD to Minister Alamgir Alam for over four years. Prior to this role, he was the OSD to CP Singh, a minister in the Raghuvar government. Sources indicate that Lal has held positions with several ministers in Jharkhand.
Media reports suggest that Lal has acquired numerous properties in different areas of Ranchi in the names of his acquaintances and close associates. Additionally, he has allegedly invested crores outside Jharkhand.
Sources said that, the keys to the residence of Lal’s assistant, from where the ED recovered the substantial amount of cash, were reportedly in Lal’s possession. Images from the raid indicate that the money might be from illicit commissions, as the cash was not neatly organized, with some bundles wrapped in paper and others in bags. The sheer volume of cash suggests that it was stored without meticulous counting.
